There should not be any conflict between settlers and settlers. But there has been, is, and will be conflict between settlers and all Indigenous groups of the Chittagong Hill Tracts—Chakma, Marma, Tripura, Tanchangya, Mro, Bawm, Khumi, Pangkho, Lusai, Khyang, Chak, Santal, and Garo.
However, what Michael Chakma, organizer of UPDF, said in an article titled ‘Restive Hills, the Need for a New Peace Accord’ by Shahriar Anirban, published in the “INDEPENDENT” on September 24, 2024, at 10:17 a.m., has astonished the Indigenous people of the hills.
He said, ‘There was no conflict between us and the Bengali settlers, and there is not yet now.’
There may not be any conflict between the settlers and the UPDF. We all know that.
But here, by “us,” he is referring to the Indigenous people of the Chittagong Hill Tracts. I am also one of the Indigenous people. I disagree with him.
We had conflict with the settlers in the past, we have it now and will have it in the future.
I believe all Indigenous people like me are in great pain today. Anik’s blood hasn’t dried yet. The crying in their homes hasn’t stopped. At this moment, such betrayal is not acceptable.
And if by “us,” he only meant the UPDF, then Michael Chakma should clarify that.
If he cannot clarify, then I hope he soon seeks forgiveness from the Indigenous people of the hills for his statement. The sooner he does this great act of repentance, the better it will be for his party and for himself.
We are waiting.
May good sense prevail.
Photo: Anik’s body is being burnt. He was killed by Muslim settlers on September 20, 2024, in Rangamati while Indigenous students were holding a protest rally against the Diginala and Khagrachari attacks.
